Fuji-Goko (Yamanaka-ko Lake, etc.) and “Q-STA,” a shopping facility in the area are highly recommended!

Fujisan Station, the gateway to Mt. Fuji. The station is also the starting point of the bus that takes you to the fifth station of the mountain, so many tourists from abroad as well as domestic tourists use this station. Also, you can ride the bus that takes you to Yamanaka-ko Lake and Oshino Hakkai springs from this station. I went shopping to Q-STA, a six-story terminal building next to Fujisan Station, which is the closest station from Mt. Fuji, so let me introduce you to this facility.

This is the ticket gate of Fujisan Station. The waiting room on the right has some wood which gave me a soft impression, and I could almost smell the wood. The waiting room was designed by Eiji Mitooka, as was the Otorii (large gateway) in the station front, who is well-known for designing many local tourist trains. The room is fashionable, and you can wait for your train or bus while relaxing on their comfortable chair.

Now, let's go shopping at Q-STA. As soon as you get out of the ticket gate, you are at the entrance to Q-STA.

“Made in Yamanashi” fabrics, created at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

As I walked inside, the first thing that caught my eye was this shop named “Yamanashi Hataori Travel,” displaying an array of colorful products. They sell various sundries using “Made in Yamanashi” fabrics. Many products using high-quality fabrics woven in local factories are displayed in the shop.

I picked this up not knowing what it was. It turned out to be a brooch you can wear on your chest. Imagine yourself wearing this. Funny, isn't it? In the back left hand is a pouch using a Shinto shrine amulet as a motif. The pattern and colors are cute, and the backside has a pocket. I was told that you can put your valuables such as a smart phone, camera, etc. in it. From products with traditional Japanese designs to shawls, ties, umbrellas, etc. with modern designs; there were so many things I wanted to pick up and see. When you pick them up, you'll know they all have a smooth, soft feel.

A delicious fruit juice using peaches made in Yamanashi!

Next to the shop I just mentioned is “GATEWAY FUJIYAMA,” which is a shop you can also find near Kawaguchi-ko Station. I introduced it to you earlier. Remember? I found some nice souvenirs here also, so I would like to show them to you.

The thing that grabbed my attention the most was this fruit juice! It is juice made from peaches produced in Yamanashi. It had a refreshing aftertaste, but still was sweet and thick, making me want to drink one more. On the right was grape juice from the same series. Peaches and grapes are both well-known fruits in Yamanashi.

You can share your luck with others with this lucky Aka Fuji cookie as a souvenir!

This is what I found next. I found this simple souvenir among the many Mt. Fuji shaped cookies and chocolates. It was cookies that had pictures of Aka Fuji (red Mt. Fuji), also drawn by Japan's famous Ukiyoe artist Hokusai Katsushika. There were three types of pictures, and I was told they had strawberry flavored fillings.

I wondered when Aka Fuji can be seen, so I looked it up. I found out that you can only see it early morning during summertime, when the morning sun shines on the mountain. It is rarely seen, and is said to bring luck. You may become a bit lucky if you are given this as a souvenir.

While I was shopping, I also saw many Mt. Fuji shaped cups. The one in the photo is an ochoko (small cup for sake). When upside down, it looks like Mt. Fuji, and when turned up to drink sake, it looks like a flower that blossomed. In the photo just below is a teacup with a drawing of a ribbon used on a present during a celebration. Inside is a drawing of Mt. Fuji, of course! You may want to buy a pair with different colors. I would probably choose an Aka Fuji teacup. After finding Aka Fuji cookies, I was attracted to everything that had to do with Aka Fuji. There were of course, various souvenirs unique to Yamanashi such as Mt. Fuji items, specialty products, confectionaries, and wine made in Yamanashi.

So I have now introduced you to two shops in the Q-STA shopping center, which is located right next to Fujisan Station. In Q-STA, there are other shops such as MUJI, 100-yen shop, restaurants, a drug store, and a book store. On the roof floor is an observation deck where you can see Mt. Fuji.

Among the stations of Fujikyuko Line, Fujisan Station is the only station with a station building. If you are going to use Fujisan Station when touring Oshino Hakkai springs, Yamanaka-ko Lake, or Mt. Fuji, stopping by before or after sightseeing and shopping at Q-STA is highly recommended!

“Q-STA”
●http://www.q-sta.jp/
●Closed: a few days a year, and business hours are shortened between Dec. 31 and Jan. 3

*The above information was last updated March 8, 2018. For further information, please contact the facility directly.

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